Two for the Road

Ralph Juan and Jasmin Ellen Sarmiento’s nuptials had all the ingredients of a grand wedding. But when one overlooks the grandeur and the fancy trimmings that define the weddings of the rich and famous, what should shine thru is the love between the couple. And this love was what everyone noticed all throughout the ceremony and the reception between Jasmin and Ralph.

Emotions ran high and mixed- there were both tears and laughter throughout the evening. Leaving one’s family behind is sad but to venture into a new life with a beloved is a joyful experience. As the night wore on, only love and happiness shone radiantly on the newlywed’s faces.

The ceremony was concelebrated by Archbishop Jose S. Palma, Monsignor Boy Alesns and Fr. Brian Brigoli at the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus in Lahug.

The elegant reception was held at the Convention Center which was brightly decorated with monochromatic shades of autumn foliage, but orange was noticeably the dominant color.

The couple and the guests were serenaded by 5 singers- Jeffrey Hidalgo, Richard Poon, Angeline Quinto, Erik Santos and the inimitable Basil Valdez. The “On the Cover Band” lured the guests, both the young and the young at heart to the dance floor with their contagious dance music.

During the lauriat dinner, there were poignant and funny speeches from the bride’s twin sister, Jennifer Elaine, from the bride’s father, Samar Representative Edgar Sarmiento, the groom’s best man, Michael Ryan C. Gohu and his father, Mr. Richard Chua Juan who announced that he and his wife were celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary that day. The best man and twin sister’s speeches bordered on the sentimental and the hilarious which kept the audience on teary eyed or in stitches mode.

The bride and groom cut the first dance with their father and mother respectively, and then the usual protocol dances followed: Bride and groom dance, bride’s mother with groom’s father, groom’s mother with bride’s father then with their respective spouses. The many guests swarmed the dance floor and skipped the light fantastic till the wee hours of dawn.

To Ralph and Jasmine, may God bless your life’s journey abundantly so you can live and celebrate your love to the fullest!

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